Question

You are going to dentist for root canal procedure. She is using local anesthetic for this procedure. a)What is the mechanism of action of this drug (Lidocaine)? 1 point b)How this drug can block the pain? 2 points

Answer 1

Answer a:)

Lidocaine blocks sodium channels of nearby neurons in the root canal. Sodium ions are essential to cause action potentials that are important in pain sensation.

Answer b:)

The uncharged form of lidocaine diffuses through neural sheaths inside the axoplasm before the sodium ions then ionize by linking with hydrogen ions. The resulting cations bind reversibly to sodium channels by inside, barring them in the open state and stopping nerve depolarization. If sodium channels do no excite, no signaling of pain will occur.